UN bans passenger planes from carrying lithium-ion batteries as cargo

A United Nations aviation board has ordered a ban on carrying lithium-ion batteries as cargo on passenger planes starting in April.

The recommendation from the International Civil Aviation Organization comes from fears that the batteries can easily overheat and cause a large fire capable of bringing down an aircraft when being shipped in bulk.

Lithium-ion batteries are used in smartphones, tablets and all sorts of portable electronic devices commonly used on planes, but passengers can still bring batteries on board with the new rules.

The batteries can also still be transported on cargo planes.

Industry lobbyists had argued against a complete ban, saying the issue could be solved with new packaging standards.

But apparently the ICAO didn't think the issue could wait for those rules to be drafted. They're expected to be done by 2018 and the ban could be lifted then.

The new rule applies to 191 countries across the globe, including the United States.

Related: Some of the strangest things confiscated at JFK Airport:

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UN bans passenger planes from carrying lithium-ion batteries as cargo

NEW YORK, NY - NOVEMBER 18: A toy chainsaw is displayed after being confiscated at an airport security checkpoint at the JFK International Airport on November 18, 2014 in New York City. The Transportation Security Administration (TSA), displayed a cash of weapons and prohibited items taken up from travelers at airport security checkpoints and from checked luggage. The federal agency is reminding people to pack carefully during the heavy holiday travel season. (Photo by John Moore/Getty Images)

NEW YORK, NY - NOVEMBER 18: Nunchakus and a Chinese star are displayed after being confiscated at the JFK International Airport on November 18, 2014 in New York City. The Transportation Security Administration (TSA), displayed a cash of weapons and prohibited items taken up from travelers at airport security checkpoints and from checked luggage. The federal agency is reminding people to pack carefully during the heavy holiday travel season. (Photo by John Moore/Getty Images)

NEW YORK, NY - NOVEMBER 18: Prohibited excercise weights and a vice grip displayed after being confiscated at airport security checkpoints at the JFK International Airport on November 18, 2014 in New York City. The Transportation Security Administration (TSA), displayed a cash of weapons and prohibited items taken up from travelers at airport security checkpoints and from checked luggage. The federal agency is reminding people to pack carefully during the heavy holiday travel season. (Photo by John Moore/Getty Images)

NEW YORK, NY - NOVEMBER 18: 'Credit card' knives are displayed after being confiscated at the JFK International Airport on November 18, 2014 in New York City. The Transportation Security Administration (TSA), displayed a cash of weapons and prohibited items taken up from travelers at airport security checkpoints and from checked luggage. The federal agency is reminding people to pack carefully during the heavy holiday travel season. (Photo by John Moore/Getty Images)

NEW YORK, NY - NOVEMBER 18: A bottle opener is displayed after being confiscated at an airport security checkpoint at the JFK International Airport on November 18, 2014 in New York City. The Transportation Security Administration (TSA), displayed a cash of weapons and prohibited items taken up from travelers at airport security checkpoints and from checked luggage. The federal agency is reminding people to pack carefully during the heavy holiday travel season. (Photo by John Moore/Getty Images)

NEW YORK, NY - NOVEMBER 18: Knives are displayed after being confiscated at the JFK International Airport on November 18, 2014 in New York City. The Transportation Security Administration (TSA), displayed a cash of weapons and prohibited items taken up from travelers at airport security checkpoints and from checked luggage. The federal agency is reminding people to pack carefully during the heavy holiday travel season. (Photo by John Moore/Getty Images)

NEW YORK, NY - NOVEMBER 18: Knives and assorted prohibited items are displayed after being confiscated at the JFK International Airport on November 18, 2014 in New York City. The Transportation Security Administration (TSA), displayed a cash of weapons and prohibited items taken up from travelers at airport security checkpoints and from checked luggage. The federal agency is reminding people to pack carefully during the heavy holiday travel season. (Photo by John Moore/Getty Images)

NEW YORK, NY - NOVEMBER 18: A piece of artwork is displayed after being confiscated at an airport security checkpoint at the JFK International Airport on November 18, 2014 in New York City. The Transportation Security Administration (TSA), displayed a cash of weapons and prohibited items taken up from travelers at airport security checkpoints and from checked luggage. The federal agency is reminding people to pack carefully during the heavy holiday travel season. (Photo by John Moore/Getty Images)

NEW YORK, NY - NOVEMBER 18: A knife is displayed after being confiscated at an airport security checkpoint at the JFK International Airport on November 18, 2014 in New York City. The Transportation Security Administration (TSA), displayed a cash of weapons and prohibited items taken up from travelers at airport security checkpoints and from checked luggage. The federal agency is reminding people to pack carefully during the heavy holiday travel season. (Photo by John Moore/Getty Images)

NEW YORK, NY - NOVEMBER 18: A pair of scissors is displayed after being confiscated at an airport security checkpoint at the JFK International Airport on November 18, 2014 in New York City. The Transportation Security Administration (TSA), displayed a cash of weapons and prohibited items taken up from travelers at airport security checkpoints and from checked luggage. The federal agency is reminding people to pack carefully during the heavy holiday travel season. (Photo by John Moore/Getty Images)

NEW YORK, NY - NOVEMBER 18: Toy guns are displayed after being confiscated at airport security checkpoints at the JFK International Airport on November 18, 2014 in New York City. The Transportation Security Administration (TSA), displayed a cash of weapons and prohibited items taken up from travelers at airport security checkpoints and from checked luggage. The federal agency is reminding people to pack carefully during the heavy holiday travel season. (Photo by John Moore/Getty Images)

NEW YORK, NY - NOVEMBER 18: A small anchor is displayed after being confiscated at an airport security checkpoint at the JFK International Airport on November 18, 2014 in New York City. The Transportation Security Administration (TSA), displayed a cash of weapons and prohibited items taken up from travelers at airport security checkpoints and from checked luggage. The federal agency is reminding people to pack carefully during the heavy holiday travel season. (Photo by John Moore/Getty Images)

NEW YORK, NY - NOVEMBER 18: Knives and prohibited items are displayed after being confiscated at airport security checkpoints at the JFK International Airport on November 18, 2014 in New York City. The Transportation Security Administration (TSA), displayed a cash of weapons and prohibited items taken up from travelers at airport security checkpoints and from checked luggage. The federal agency is reminding people to pack carefully during the heavy holiday travel season. (Photo by John Moore/Getty Images)

NEW YORK, NY - NOVEMBER 18: Box cutters are displayed after being confiscated at an airport security checkpoint at the JFK International Airport on November 18, 2014 in New York City. The Transportation Security Administration (TSA), displayed a cash of weapons and prohibited items taken up from travelers at airport security checkpoints and from checked luggage. The federal agency is reminding people to pack carefully during the heavy holiday travel season. (Photo by John Moore/Getty Images)

NEW YORK, NY - NOVEMBER 18: Fake grenades and ammunition is displayed after being confiscated at airport security checkpoints at the JFK International Airport on November 18, 2014 in New York City. The Transportation Security Administration (TSA), displayed a cash of weapons and prohibited items taken up from travelers at airport security checkpoints and from checked luggage. The federal agency is reminding people to pack carefully during the heavy holiday travel season. (Photo by John Moore/Getty Images)

NEW YORK, NY - NOVEMBER 18: A meat cleaver is displayed after being confiscated at an airport security checkpoint at the JFK International Airport on November 18, 2014 in New York City. The Transportation Security Administration (TSA), displayed a cash of weapons and prohibited items taken up from travelers at airport security checkpoints and from checked luggage. The federal agency is reminding people to pack carefully during the heavy holiday travel season. (Photo by John Moore/Getty Images)

NEW YORK, NY - NOVEMBER 18: A belt buckle with a toy gun is displayed after being confiscated at an airport security checkpoint at the JFK International Airport on November 18, 2014 in New York City. The Transportation Security Administration (TSA), displayed a cash of weapons and prohibited items taken up from travelers at airport security checkpoints and from checked luggage and is reminding people to pack carefully during the heavy holiday travel season. (Photo by John Moore/Getty Images)

NEW YORK, NY - NOVEMBER 18: A toy gun is displayed after being confiscated at an airport security checkpoint at the JFK International Airport on November 18, 2014 in New York City. The Transportation Security Administration (TSA), displayed a cash of weapons and prohibited items taken up from travelers at airport security checkpoints and from checked luggage. The federal agency is reminding people to pack carefully during the heavy holiday travel season. (Photo by John Moore/Getty Images)

NEW YORK, NY - NOVEMBER 18: A toy daggar is displayed after being confiscated at an airport security checkpoint at the JFK International Airport on November 18, 2014 in New York City. The Transportation Security Administration (TSA), displayed a cash of weapons and prohibited items taken up from travelers at airport security checkpoints and from checked luggage. The federal agency is reminding people to pack carefully during the heavy holiday travel season. (Photo by John Moore/Getty Images)

NEW YORK, NY - NOVEMBER 18: Prohibited liquids are displayed after being confiscated at the JFK International Airport on November 18, 2014 in New York City. The Transportation Security Administration (TSA), displayed a cash of weapons and prohibited items taken up from travelers at airport security checkpoints and from checked luggage. The federal agency is reminding people to pack carefully during the heavy holiday travel season. (Photo by John Moore/Getty Images)